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City Of Alexandria Seeks Holiday Sharing Sponsors For Children, Families and SeniorsPrograms Brighten Holiday Season for Disadvantaged Residents

The Alexandria Department of Human Services (DHS) invites the public to help make the 2008 holiday season brighter for low-income families, foster children, and seniors by participating in the City’s Holiday Sharing Program. Individuals and groups take part in the program by purchasing gifts or certificates for a designated Alexandria family, foster child or senior citizen.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for neighbors to show their compassion in these hard times by sponsoring a family, senior, teen, or foster child who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the holiday season to the fullest,” said Debra Collins, Assistant City Manager for Community and Human Services. “Alexandria is a caring and generous community and we encourage all those more fortunate to open their hearts as they have in the past.”

Last year, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Community Partners for Children, the DHS Holiday Sharing Program assisted 504 families, 148 seniors and disabled persons, and 189 foster children and teens. In addition to thousands of gift items distributed through Sponsor-a-Family, Sponsor-a-Senior Citizen and Sponsor-a-Foster Child, sponsors also gave a total of $16,000 in gift certificates through the Sponsor-a-Teen program.

The need for Holiday Sharing sponsors is greater this year, as the number of families registered for the 2008 Holiday Sharing Program has increased since 2007. Donors may deliver gifts directly to recipients or bring them to the City’s Human Services Center (2525 Mount Vernon Ave.) for distribution by staff. The Department of Human Services is also seeking volunteers to help sort and deliver gifts at the Human Services Center on December 16, 17, and 18 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.